Chapter 65: Whose Pup Is It?
Chapter 65: Whose Pup Is It?
(Aria’s POV)
“Are you pregnant too?”
Claire’s accusatory question hung in the air, drawing immediate attention from everyone in the obstetrics and gynecology waiting area. My heart hammered against my ribs as I felt all eyes turn to us. Mothers–to–be, nurses, and doctors all paused to stare at our little drama unfolding.
Alexander’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist with alarming strength. His amber eyes flashed with intensity, boring into mine. The pressure of his fingers sent pain shooting up my arm.
“Is it true?” he demanded, voice low but sharp. “Are you carrying my pup?”
The possessiveness in his tone made my skin crawl. I tried to pull away, but his Alpha strength held me firmly. His scent spiked with a mixture of anger and something else–hope?
“Let go of her!” Olivia snapped, stepping between us. Her wolf’s protectiveness radiated from her in waves. “How dare you grab her like that? You lost that right when you chose Claire!”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Olivia continued, turning her fury on Claire. “You’re already pregnant and Alexander isn’t even officially your mate yet. Talk about hypocrisy! At least have the decency to wait until the mate bond severance is complete!”
Claire’s hand instinctively went to her belly. Despite the scent–neutralizing charm she wore–a common accessory for pregnant she–wolves who wanted privacy–I could see the panic in her emerald eyes as she scanned the room full of curious onlookers. Her carefully constructed image was crumbling under public scrutiny.
“I’m Alexander’s intended,” Claire hissed, but her voice lacked conviction. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms as she fought to maintain composure.
“Aria,” Alexander ignored Claire’s comment, his focus solely on me. His amber eyes burned with an intensity that once would have made my heart race for different reasons. “Why are you at this clinic? Answer me. Now.”
are you at th
My wolf bristled beneath my skin at his commanding tone. Who did he think he was? The mate bond was nearly severed, yet he acted as if he owned me.
“It’s either pregnancy or silver–blood infection,” Claire interjected with a malicious smile. “Those are the only reasons a she–wolf visits the obstetrics department. Which is it, Aria? Did you spread your legs for another wolf before your mate bond was properly severed?”
Her implication that I might have silver–blood–a disease affecting werewolves who mated outside their arranged pairs–was a calculated insult. The waiting room filled with hushed whispers and judgmental stares.
With a sudden surge of strength fueled by pure rage, I wrenched my hand free from Alexander’s grip. The force of it made him step back in surprise.
“My medical visits are none of your business,” I snapped, rubbing my wrist where red marks were already forming. “Neither of yours.”
Alexander silenced Claire with a low growl before she could say anything else. The sound vibrated through the waiting room, causing several pregnant she–wolves to instinctively cover their bellies protectively.
“It’s too soon,” he said, his brow furrowing. “We only filed for mate bond severance a few days ago. And you were taking those moonberry and silver pine treatments for years due to our fertility issues. The herbs would still be in your system.”
y move to my belly, protectin
His words hit me like a physical blow. I felt my hand instinctively
the tiny life growing inside. How could he mention our private struggles so casually in a public space? Heat rushed to my face as I noticed people openly eavesdropping now.
Claire’s face lit up with cruel amusement. Her emerald eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of a predator who had found weakness in their prey..
“Oh, that’s right,” she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “Three years as mates and not a
single pup. Such a shame. All
<Chapter 65: Whose Pup is It?
those treatments, all those disappointments.”
She placed a deliberate hand on her own stomach, the gesture unmistakably smug. “Some of us don’t have that problem. Perhaps it’s not the Alpha who’s lacking.”
Olivia exploded beside me. Her entire body tensed as she took a threatening step toward Claire.
“At least if Aria has a pup, she knows who the father is!” she shouted, her eyes flashing with rage. “How can you be sure it’s Alexander’s when everyone knows you never severed your mate bond with Beta David properly? Convenient how you got pregnant right when you needed to trap Alexander!”
+ Ports >
Claire’s face transformed from smug to furious in an instant. Blood drained from her face, then rushed back in a flood of angry color. Her claws partially extended–a serious breach of etiquette in public–as she lunged forward with a snarl.
“You little b***h–I’ll tear your throat out!”
I grabbed Olivia’s arm and pulled her backward with all my strength, away from Claire’s reach. My pregnant wolf was in no condition to handle a physical confrontation.
“We’re leaving,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “This isn’t worth it. They’re not worth it.”
Alexander caught Claire around the waist, restraining her thrashing form. Her claws slashed at the air inches from where Olivia had been standing.
“Calm down,” he ordered, his Alpha command causing nearby werewolves to lower their gazes submissively. “Not here! Control yourself!”
I pulled Olivia toward the elevator, heart pounding against my ribs. We stepped inside just as the doors began to close. The last thing I saw was Claire’s furious face and Alexander’s troubled expression as he struggled to contain her. The doors closed just as I heard Claire’s angry screeching resume.
“The nerve of that woman!” Olivia fumed as we descended, pacing the small elevator space like a caged wolf. “Acting so high and mighty when she’s the one who stole another she–wolf’s mate! And Alexander just stands there letting her make a scene!”
“It’s okay,” I said, trying to calm her despite my own racing heart. “It doesn’t matter what she thinks. What either of them think.”
Inside, I was shaking. Olivia had nearly revealed my secret–that I truly was pregnant with Alexander’s pup. I prayed that in the heat of the moment, Alexander’s wolf hadn’t caught the scent of truth in her words. The last thing I needed was for him to stake a claim on my child before I was legally free from him.
“I’ll deal with Claire after the mate bond severance is finalized,” I said, more to myself than to Olivia. My hand rested protectively over my belly. “Right now, my priority is this little one.”
Right now, I needed to focus on keeping my pup safe and securing my freedom from Alexander. Everything else could wait.
The moment we stepped out of the hospital entrance, two imposing wolves blocked our path. They stood perfectly still, dark suits barely containing their muscular builds. Their powerful presence and alert postures instantly marked them as security personnel–enforcer wolves trained to protect high–ranking pack members.
“Ms. Summers?” the taller one addressed me, his voice respectful but firm. “Our Alpha would like to speak with you.”
Olivia stepped forward protectively, her earlier anger redirected at these newcomers. “And who exactly is your Alpha? We’re not going anywhere with strangers.”
Her wolf bristled beneath her skin, ready to defend me if necessary. After what had just happened with Claire, she was on high alert.
Before either enforcer could answer, movement behind them caught my eye. A third werewolf approached, pushing a wheelchair across the smooth hospital driveway.
The man seated in it was thin, his body bearing visible scars that peeked from beneath his expensive clothing. One leg was clearly immobile, and his left arm seemed weaker than his right. Despite his weakened appearance, his eyes held intelligence and power that commanded attention. Something about him seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place where I might have seen him before.
“Hello, Luna Summers,” he greeted me, his voice surprisingly strong for someone with such a frail appearance. “I apologize for the unconventional meeting. I’m David Turner.”
Chapter 65: Whose Pup is it?
A jolt of recognition shot through me. David Turner–Claire’s ex–mate. The wolf who had supposedly been injured saving Alexander’s life during a territory dispute. The very reason Alexander felt indebted to Claire.
+8 Points >
I leaned close to Olivia’s ear. “It’s Claire’s former mate,” I whispered, my voice so low only her werewolf hearing could detect it. “The one who was supposedly dying.”
Olivia’s eyes widened in shock, her wolf suddenly alert. She stared at him with unconcealed surprise. He looked ill, yes, but nowhere near death’s door as Claire had always implied.
“What do you want with me?” I asked David directly, trying to keep my voice steady. My pregnant wolf urged caution.
My wolf cautiously assessed the injured werewolf before me. He didn’t seem threatening, but appearances could be deceiving. After all, Claire had convinced everyone he was practically on his deathbed.
David smiled enigmatically. His eyes–a striking blue that contrasted with his pallor–held secrets I couldn’t begin to guess.
“I thought it was time we got acquainted. After all, you are still technically the Luna of the Storm Pack.” His gaze flickered momentarily to my midsection before returning to my face.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, the movement clearly causing him some discomfort though he tried to hide it.
“This might clarify my purpose better than words can,” he said, extending it toward me with his stronger arm.
I hesitated before taking it, unsure what to expect.
“Look more closely,” he encouraged me. “I think you’ll find the answers quite revealing.”
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